Mahjong - Chinese Culture

One of the myths (probably originates from the West) regarding the origin of Mahjong suggests that Confucius the great Chinese philosopher had developed the game about 500 BC. Mahjong (Chinese: 麻将 (Mandarin májiàng; Cantonese màhjeung) or 麻雀 Mandarin máquè, Cantonese màhjeuk); other common English spellings include mahjongg, majiang, and hyphenated forms such as mah-jong or mah-jongg) is a game for four players that originated in China. It is a game of skill, intelligence, calculation and luck. Depending on the variation which is played, the amount of luck may vary from 20 to 80 percent. In China, Japan, Taiwan and other countries mahjong is often used for gambling. The Chinese word 麻将 literally means "hemp general". In Cantonese an alternate writing, 麻雀, is more common (the same kanji are used in Japanese). In Cantonese this literally means "sparrow" and is pronounced ma4 jeuk3, while in Japanese it means "hemp sparrow", and is pronounced mā-jan.
Mahjong has developed to various game style like Hong Kong style, Taiwan style, tri-play, quart-play and many others. Love it or hate it, Mahjong already been rooted among chinese as favourites pass time.
Others information please log to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahjong